Osong Public Health Res Perspect.  2018 Oct;9(5):261-268. 10.24171/j.phrp.2018.9.5.08.

Public Awareness of Early and Late Complications of Type 2 Diabetes - Application of Latent Profile Analysis in Determining Questionnaire Cut-Off Points

• Shirmohammadi N
• Soltanian
• Borzouei S

• KMID: 2431689
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2018.9.5.08

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
A questionnaire was designed to determine public understanding of early and late complications of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed in participants who were selected using a multi-stage sampling method and a standard questionnaire of 67 questions was proposed. An expert panel selected 53 closed-ended questions for content validity to be included in the questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach's alpha coefficient giving a score of 0.84.
RESULTS
Of the 825 participants, 443 (57.6%) were male, and 322 (41.87%) were 40 years or more. The proportion of low-, moderate- and high- awareness about T2DM and its complications was 29.26%, 62.68%, and 8.06%, respectively. Friends (56.31%) and internet and social networks (20.55%) were the 2 major sources of awareness, respectively. The medical staff (e.g., physicians) had the lowest share in the level of public awareness (3.64%) compared to other sources.
CONCLUSION
These results present data that shows the general population awareness of T2DM is low. Healthcare policymakers need to be effective at raising awarenes of diabetes and it should be through improved education.

Keyword

awareness; questionnaire; statistical model; Type 2 diabetes

MeSH Terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Delivery of Health Care
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Education
Friends
Humans
Internet
Male
Medical Staff
Methods
Models, Statistical